A girl and her camera

Chapter seven

Since Hanna's story on Mr Rodolfo had been cremated, Martha would just have to return to the Ghetto that afternoon. However, instead of simply getting a second story from Mr Rodolfo, Martha decided that for the youth to understand what was going on, within those Ghetto walls, who better for it to come from, than another youth? It was a clever idea, on Martha's part. And it would do Hanna good. Right now, Martha thought her friend needed all the good ideas she could get. So it was all sorted. Martha was going to approach Samuel, and ask him if he would like to do the interview himself. And for good measure, Martha was going to give the interview to Hanna at school the next day, instead of causing a repeat of Eve's irrational behaviour.

So Martha walked on, with a light spring in her step, as she approached the Ghetto gates. As usual, the guard let her inside, and as soon as she'd made it to the five house away-point, she saw Samuel, waiting for her. Ah, it did feel good to see him again, she thought. Him, and his handsome face, his charming smile...wait, charming? What was she thinking? She'd only just gotten Samuel back as a friend. She couldn't just jump from one thought, to another. It just wasn't the way it should've been.

"Hey!" Samuel waved to her, strolling her way with his 'charming' smile. "You kept me waiting long enough."

"My apologies," Martha giggled, "I have a favour to ask you, Mr Maarden. Shall we walk?"

"Of course," He offered his arm to her, like a real gentleman. And Martha, loving his genteel manner, gracefully accepted.

"Well, you know how I got that interview with Mr Rodolfo yesterday?"

"Yes," He said, "I should remember; I was there."

"Well, something happened to that interview..." Martha explained, "And let's just say it isn't fit for publishing."

"Why? Wasn't it adequate?"

"Hanna wouldn't know because...Hanna never got to read it." Martha finally got it out. "Her sister had a cow, and threw it into the fireplace."

"Wow," Samuel gave a low whistle, cocking his brows at the same time. "Do you know why?"

"Oh, she's afraid that Hanna will ruin their families reputation in being sympathetic to the J-the residents in the Ghetto."

"You can say it, you know." He assured, "It's not a forsaken word or something. We are Jews; we might as well just say it."

"It's not that I can't say it," Martha said, "It's just...I don't really think of you, or any of the other people here as Jews. To me, you're all just ordinary people. Well-except for you. You're anything but ordinary."

"Well, I guess I should take that as a compliment!" Samuel laughed, "Was it a compliment?"

"Trust me, it was."

Martha was half-aware that she was flirting with Samuel; in fact, she intended it. She'd never felt so smitten with a male before; especially not Victor anyhow. But talking with Samuel, being in his prescence...it actually made her feel nervous. It was as if she hadn't talked to him before! Ridiculous, in her eyes. Samuel had known her since childhood! Martha had no reason to be nervous around him. And yet...she was. This boy: this handsome, cheeky, potentially seductive male...he was turning her head to mush.

"Well, I'm honoured," He replied, smirking at her. "Not only am I handsome, but also quite extrodinary!"

"I never said extrodinary!" Martha replied, laughing.

"You said I was anything but ordinary, therefore, I am extrodinary." He held his chin up, in triumph. "I must be quite the catch."

"Well, I'd be inclined to agree." That, she didn't mean let slip. "Oh-I mean...like I said, I have no shame in admitting your good qualities. If I didn't tell you, than none of those silly, school-girls were going to. They'd all just take one look at you, giggle like idiots, then run away."